Two of your posts this week got me thinking about states of the mind.Ululate: Did you know that in Filipino, the word for insane is "ulul"? Though I haven't done any investigation as to the etymology of this native word, I have a feeling it could have something to do with howling like mad.My other thought was brought about by your "Thought for the Day" from William Dement: Now I know where the term "dementia" came from. Thanks, AWAD!

Ululate: Did you know that in Filipino, the word for insane is "ulul"? Though I haven't done any investigation as to the etymology of this native word, I have a feeling it could have something to do with howling like mad.

I don't know the etymology of the Tagalog word, but it's very unlikely that it's related to Latin ululāre.

Ululate certainly describes the language of my Siberian Husky, in fact her command of ululation is impressive. Many times times I have attempted to communicate with her by howling back and it ignites a series of barks and howls especially at twlight time. I certainly hope my responses are appropriate. I can understand how someone from outside the family might think they had entered an asylum.

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